Zoë Jones
Stamps 1693 Scholar
Hometown
Norfolk, VA (Norfolk Academy)
Academic Interests
Applied Math, Creative Writing, International Relations
Why W&M
My favorite classes in high school were those in which my fellow students were highly collaborative, supportive, and joyful. They were classes I took for the love of learning, not to fulfill a requirement. However, my vision of college academics was a little less cheery: impersonal, crowded lecture halls filled with overly intense classmates and professors who didn’t know my name. I assumed my college would be far away, covered in ivy, and I’d be working on my own to achieve my goals. But that was okay. I could find solace in my friends outside of class. But for the most part, I would be there for academics: ace the next test, complete the next problem set, turn in the next paper.
I constructed my college list based on academic reputation, rankings, and low acceptance rates; I thought this was the process that everyone went through. I never considered places close to home, and I didn’t spend a lot of time imagining my future day-to-day life. Yet on the 1693 Scholars Finalists’ weekend, I was immediately struck by how calm I felt driving along the roads lined with centuries-old oaks and strolling down brick-paved walkways. My fellow candidates were kind, accomplished, and inquisitive—and shared my excitement to be there. The current 1693 Scholars and faculty I met were brilliant, encouraging, quirky, and fun polymaths who embraced everything that William & Mary had to offer. Murray House felt like an oasis where I could unwind, talk about anything, and have rambling late-night chats and study sessions. I tried to soak up every bit of Murray’s energy of warmth. Though I later contemplated my other admissions offers, I had already made my decision. I knew I belonged in this group.
High School Activities
- Selected for Andrea Brown Literary Agency Workshops Cape Cod (2020, 2021) and Big Sur (2022)
- Creative writing, writing Young Adult fantasy novels
- Muse Teen Writers Fellow
- Captain, Norfolk Academy NAnobots Robotics Team
- Founder of Robotics Outreach Program to ForKids Housing Shelter for Southeastern Virginia
- TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science)
- Batten Leadership Program Engineering, Design & Innovation Fellow
- Tutor
- Secretary, Speech and Debate Club
- Virginia Junior Classical League
- French Exchange with Saint Dominique Academy Paris (2023)
- Norfolk Academy Players Theater, lead roles
- Piano
- Norfolk Academy PRISM (People Respecting the Identities of School Mates) Club
- Norfolk Academy Varsity Rowing Team
- Volunteer for Dos Santos Nonprofit Program
Awards / Distinctions
- Norfolk Academy Class of 2024 Salutatorian Award
- US Presidential Scholars Program Nominee
- National Merit Scholarship Finalist
- Cum Laude Society
- University of Virginia Alumni Jefferson Book Award
- Mary McCullouch Moore Mathematics Award
- Minnie Roth Campbell Creative Writing Award
- Norfolk Academy Fine Arts Award
- Norfolk Academy Musical Theater Award
- TEAMS National qualifier
- TEAMS 1st Place in Virginia
- FIRST Robotics Mechanicsville Mayhem December 2023 - Connect Award 1st Place, Motivate Award 2nd Place, Inspire Award 3rd Place
- National Latin Exam, Gold Awards
